Stephen Gamble

Former Liverpool FC manager Brendan Rodgers has been praised for his “incredible generosity” after he donated the sale of his late parents’ home to the NI Hospice.

The Carnlough native, who was last month unveiled as an ambassador for the NI Hospice and Children’s Hospice, bought the house for his parents in the Glenbrook area of the village.

Sadly, Rodgers’ mother Christina passed away in 2010 aged just 53, and his father Malachy died a following a battle with throat cancer a year later.

As reported in the Irish News, Rodgers said his decision to donate the sale of the house as a way to continue his mother’s legacy of charitable work. His donation of almost £100,000 will be used for a nurse call system at the new £13m adult hospice nearing completion built on Belfast’s Somerton Road.

In the wake of his incredible gesture, local people have been paying tribute to Carnlough’s most famous son.

Johnny Mulholland, manager of the Waterfall Bar told the Larne Times: “The NI Hospice is a cause that is very close to Brendan’s heart. He has done a lot of good work for various charities over the years and this latest gesture is another example of his kindness and generosity.

“Brendan is a great asset to Carnlough and an inspiration to a lot of people. He will make a wonderful ambassador for the Hospice.”

Fellow Carnlough native, Councillor James McKeown also praised Brendan for his continued support to the charity.

“This was an amazingly charitable act,” he added. “I know that everyone in the village is very proud of Brendan for all that he has achieved and the good work he continues to do for worthwhile causes.”

Speaking to the Irish Times, Rodgers said: “I just felt it was an opportunity to do something in my mum’s memory, especially because she was such a big charity worker. She spent her life trying to help others, trying to raise money to help others.

“It’s something for the hospice, it felt like the right thing to do, it was about putting the money to good use and I know that it will be in the hospice.

“I know that she would have been happy that I have done this.”

Rodgers also described how his father received hospice care during his battle with throat cancer and he was delighted his donation would be put to good use by the charity.

“Dad was treated in Antrim hospice when he was in the incurable stages of the disease,” he said.

“It’s always something that has stuck with me, how much the people who work at the hospice put into caring for people. I’ve said it before, they’re like angels, and they really are.”